Mystery shrouds slay of rich bizman, tanod

BANGUED, Abra – Mystery still shrouds the recent shooting to death of a rich businessman here whose wife was allegedly collecting money from his clients without his knowledge and a barangay tanod in Villaviciosa town even as police are conducting investigation to unearth gunmen in both incidents.

A police report said businessman Julius G. Elefante, 44 of Barangay Gabao, Santiago, Ilocos Sur and resident of Barangay Sagayad, San Fernando City, La Union was killed Sept. 7 at about 5:10 p.m. by unidentified suspects at Smart Car Klinik here along Actividad-Economia Street, Zone 1.

Prior to the incident, the victim with his brother identified as Roque, 43, helper and a resident of Imus, Santiago, Ilocos Sur were unloading motor lubricants, battery parts and car tires when two men riding a Fury Kawasaki motorcycle with no plate number suddenly stopped and the back rider shot the victim several times then fled.



The victim was shot in the head and right shoulder and was immediately brought to Abra Provincial Hospital but expired while undergoing medical treatment.

A police team found seven fired bullets.

Police said the victim was sole proprietor/manager engaged in buy and sell of automobiles, dealer of auto parts and lubricants and had several account receivables from various customers amounting to hundreds of thousands in Bangued, Abra, Ilocos Sur, and Ilocos Norte.

His brother RoqueElefante described the gunman as slim built, sporting straight hair, with brown complexion and about 5’3” to 5’5” in height, wearing white T-shirt while the driver of the motorcycle was wearing a black T-shirt with dark complexion.

He said his brother and his wife were arguing lately regarding the collection of debts because the wife allegedly was collecting money without the knowledge of the victim.

Belinda Valdea Elefante, the wife of the victim told police she was with her husband and brother-in-law prior to the incident but alleged that they dropped her at the Jollibee fast food located along Taft Street, Zone 5.

She added when she went to the Smart Car Klinik to see her husband, it was there that she discovered that her husband was shot.

The wife stated in her affidavit that she was not interested in subjecting the cadaver of her husband for autopsy.

Meanwhile in Villaviciosa town, a police report said David P. Sagudang, 27 a resident of Barangay Callao here was shot to death by unidentified suspects Sept. 10 at about 6:30 in the morning.

Investigation bared the victim went to water their rice fields when suddenly five armed men appeared from the creek whom the victim tried to evade but one of the suspects shot him from behind.

The victim sustained a lone gunshot wound on his left back and exited on his left shoulder causing his instant death.

The suspects immediately fled after the incident.

A police team found a spent bullet from a Cal. 5.56 mm.

Police are now trying to determine the motive and identity of the suspects.